This dessert has become a favorite of our staff and customers ever since one of our sales associates created it. These bars are delicious on their own but to take them over the top, sprinkle with candied pecans or add a dollop of whipped cream just before serving. The two key ingredients (Pecan Pumpkin Butter and Spiced Pecan Pumpkin Quick Bread) are only available in the fall, so stock up when you can get them.

Directions:

To make the crust, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, combine the quick bread mix, egg and melted butter and beat on low speed until the ingredients come together, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and spread out evenly. Press the crust down until it feels compact (using the back of a measuring cup can help).

Wash and dry the mixer bowl and beater.

To make the filling, in the mixer bowl, combine the cream cheese and pumpkin butter and beat on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the eggs, vanilla, melted butter and cinnamon and beat until combined, about 2 minutes. Add the confectioners’ sugar and beat well, about 2 minutes.

Spread the filling over the crust. Transfer to the oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Do not overbake; the center should still be a little gooey. To test for doneness, gently shake the pan; you should see a slight jiggle in the center. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for at least 20 minutes, then cut into bars. Makes 16 bars.

Rated 4 out of
5 by
cttroon from
Delicious with a correctionI just made these bars for the first time. I was concerned after reading the other reviews. I COMPLETELY agree that the powdered sugar amount is WRONG. I made the bars with only 1/4 cup powdered sugar in the topping. I tasted it and it was slightly sweet and tangy, which seemed perfect to me. Otherwise, I followed the recipe exactly. A few things to note - make sure your oven is accurate. Mine just got fixed and I have an internal thermometer in my oven, and it was exactly 350 deg. Place the bars in the upper half of the oven. We baked them for 43 minutes and they were really good. Filling was slightly soft, like a very firm almost dry custard. The bottom was dark but not burned, but would have burned if we had left them in longer (I also moved them higher in the oven half way through, to keep the bottom from being too close to the heat element). Top was not jiggly. It was cooked but not hard. Very, very good. Will definitely make again.

Date published: 2015-12-27

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Reene from
Good for a crowdI made the recipe as is. Yes, they came out gooey. However, as it cooled and I put it in the refrigerator overnight, I got nothing but oo's and aa's over it. It was very very good. The crust was great but if you do not like it goey, do not make this. Due to the cost of this, I will try a pumpkin filling and add some spice to it. Also, DO NOT use all that sugar. I only weighed out about 4-5 ozs. May even do less next time.

Date published: 2014-10-05

Rated 4 out of
5 by
KeiransMom from
A perfect Fall treatI would definitely make these again. I had wanted to try to make these since sampling in WS last year. I waited until the mix and pumpkin butter went on sale. Well worth it, the crust is yummy. I followed the recipe exactly, except I used 3/4 cup of confectioner's sugar, a pound seemed like it would be too sweet, next time I will try 1/2 cup. My 4 year old helped, pretty easy to make. Will be jiggly but firms. This is a great Fall desert. If you want 5 stars try the WS Spiced Apple a Coffee Cake.

Date published: 2013-11-12

Rated 5 out of
5 by
BonBon1968 from
Great Bars to impress!I made these great bars a year ago for Halloween party. So well received, I went back into kitchen to make more. I used a simple dark chocolate cake mix instead of bread mix, used William Sonoma's Cranberry Relish in place of Pumpkin Butter. Wowed the crowd again. Made a bunch for Christmas Holidays, were THE FAVORITE COOKIE of 2012!!! The family almost finished off all their cookie gifts. Well, I lost my recipe in March and just remembered to come online to look & I found it!! Family & friends will be very grateful and so am I! Back to the kitchen with me!

Date published: 2013-10-29

Rated 4 out of
5 by
jenInspiredByChance from
Delicious with 2 ModificationsAbsolutely delicious!
My modifications:
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
Add 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Baked for 35 minutes
I'm at high altitude
Gluten Free pumpkin bread mix
I would give this recipe 5 stars but 15 oz is not equal is 470 grams. I'm wondering if this weight measurement confused people and they actually put in 1 cup or 16 fl oz of confectioners sugar.

Date published: 2013-10-28

Rated 3 out of
5 by
MickiMcP from
Much too sweetI agree with the previous poster who said using nearly a pound of sugar was overkill. I could barely taste the pumpkin. I will try using canned pumpkin pie mix as the filling next time. Cheaper, too!

Date published: 2013-10-03

Rated 3 out of
5 by
PLR1 from
Not sure what went wrong?I tasted these at the Williams-Sonoma store and they was really good so I bought 2 sets of the stuff to make them, and I followed the directions exact and cooked them 45 minutes and the center was still really jiggly but the recipe said that was ok, so I gave them a long time to cool and the center never thickening up. I went to cut them later that day and the center was so gooy it was like the batter itself. Didn't set up at all and really runny. Can't understand I followed everything exact. I have more to make and want to try again but I am nervous now on how to prevent this since I followed the recipe exactly. Any advice?

Date published: 2013-09-16

Rated 5 out of
5 by
mischa869 from
Awesome! Everyone LOVED them...Made the recipe as directed. Yes, it was expensive ($20 for pumpkin butter + mix), but considering you pay $2-4 for a slice at a bakery, I thought it was acceptable. Used the middle rack in the oven and did not overbake. They do firm up a little after they cool, so don't worry when it's giggly in the middle. When you cut them, use a sharp knife and clean after each cut. Very sweet, but the slightly salty crust balances it out. Everyone LOVED them (except those who don't like gooey or pumpkin).